Retainer block for use with dish rack

ABSTRACT

A dish rack has a collector tray, with the collector tray having a compartment. A retaining block is seated in the compartment and has at least one elongated slot. The sharp edge (e.g., blade) of a sharp object (e.g., knife) can be inserted through the slot and be shielded from the user by the retainer block.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to dish racks and their accessories, andin particular, to a retainer block that can be used with the dish rackto protect the user from sharp edges of a sharp object, such as theblade of knives.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Dish racks are commonly used in dishwashers for organizing andpositioning plates, bowls, cups and utensils for washing. Dish racks arealso commonly used on kitchen countertops for positioning plates, bowls,cups and utensils to let them dry after they have been washed.

Most of the plates, bowls, cups and utensils can be handled by a userwithout presenting any danger or harm because they do not have sharp orblunt surfaces. However, a potentially dangerous utensil is the knife,whose sharp blades can cut or hurt a user if the user accidentally grabsthe knife by the blade. In conventional dish racks, a plastic collectortray is provided for receiving utensils. The collector tray is typicallydivided into different compartments for receiving different types ofutensils (spoons, forks, knives, etc.). These compartments have opentops, so that the user merely inserts the utensil into the compartment.Knives are more troublesome. If the user inserts the knife into an opencompartment with the blade facing down, the user can later remove theknife in a safe manner by gripping the handle of the knife. However,inserting the knife in this orientation may blunt the sharp tip or bladeof the knife since the tip or blade will contact the walls of thecompartment. On the other hand, if the user inserts the knife into anopen compartment with the blade facing up, then the knife would pose asevere safety risk to anyone who accidentally attempts to grip the knifewithout seeing the exposed blade.

Therefore, there still remains a need to provide a safe disposition forknives and sharp objects in a dish rack.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

It is an object of the present invention to provide a safe dispositionfor knives and sharp objects in a dish rack.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a retainerblock that can safely receive and retain a knife or other sharp objectin a dish rack.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide amulti-purpose retainer block that can also be used to receive othertypes of objects.

In order to accomplish the objects of the present invention, the presentinvention provides a dish rack having a collector tray, the collectortray having a compartment. A retaining block is seated in thecompartment.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the retainingblock includes a raised shell having two side walls, an end wallextending between the side walls, and an angled top wall connected tothe end wall and extending between the side walls, with the angled topwall having a base. A planar section extends from the base of the angledtop wall, and a flange extends from the end wall. An interior space isdefined by the side walls, the end wall and the angled top wall, and atleast one elongated slot provided in the angled top wall. The sharp edge(e.g., blade) of a sharp object (e.g., knife) can be inserted throughthe slot and be shielded from the user by the raised shell.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the retainingblock includes a raised shell that has four side walls and a top wallextending between the side walls, a planar section extending from one ofthe side walls of raised shell, an interior space defined by the sidewalls and the top wall, and at least one elongated slot provided in thetop wall.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, theretaining block is a retainer having a planar section that has opposingend edges, with each end edge seated over either a tray edge or adividing wall. The retainer has at least one elongated slot provided inthe planar section.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dish rack and a retainer blockaccording to one embodiment of the present invention shown with theretainer block positioned to receive knives and sharp objects.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the dish rack and retainer block of FIG.1 with the retainer block positioned to receive other objects.

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of a retainer block according to oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged top perspective view of the retainer block ofFIGS. 1 and 3 positioned in a collector tray to receive knives and sharpobjects.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged top perspective view of the retainer block ofFIGS. 1 and 3 positioned in a collector tray to receive other objects.

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of a retainer block according toanother embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of a retainer block according to yetanother embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following detailed description is of the best presently contemplatedmodes of carrying out the invention. This description is not to be takenin a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustratinggeneral principles of embodiments of the invention. The scope of theinvention is best defined by the appended claims.

FIGS. 1-5 illustrate one retainer block 10 according to the presentinvention. The retainer block 10 is adapted to be used with anyconventional dish rack that has a collector tray. FIGS. 1-2 illustrate adish rack 12 that has a novel design, but the retainer block 10 can beused with any conventional dish rack as well. The dish rack 12 can havethe typical components of a conventional dish rack, including, but notlimited to, a wire frame base 14 for receiving plates and large bowls, adivider section 16 that has a plurality of divider walls for receivingplates, extending holders 18 for holding drinking glasses or wineglasses, a wine glass or cup holder 20, and a collector tray 22 that issuspended along an end edge 24 of the dish rack 12. The collector tray22 can be made from plastic, and typically has a plurality (e.g., threeas shown in FIGS. 1-2) of open-top compartments 26 defined by dividingwalls 28. As best shown in FIG. 1, the retainer block 10 according tothe present invention is received inside one of these open-topcompartments 26, and positioned at the top of the compartment 26.

The retainer block 10 is illustrated in greater detail in FIGS. 3-5. Theretainer block 10 has a raised shell 52 and a planar section 50extending from one end of the raised shell 52. The raised shell 52 hastwo side walls 54 and 56, a curved and angled end wall 58 extendingbetween, and connecting, the side walls 54, 56, and a curved and angledtop wall 60 also extending between, and connecting, the side walls 54,56. The planar section 50 extends from the base of the angled top wall60. A small flange 62 extends from the end wall 58, and a vertical edge64 extends vertically downwardly from the flange 62. The walls 54, 56,58 and 60 define an empty interior space 68 (see FIG. 5). A plurality ofelongated slots 70 are provided in the top wall 60 and the end wall 58.These slots 70 are adapted to receive separate knives in the mannerdescribed below, and can be provided in different lengths to accomodateknives of different widths (see FIGS. 3-5). Similarly, a plurality ofelongated slots 72 can also be provided on the planar section 50.

The retainer block 10 can be used in the following manner. Referringfirst to FIGS. 1 and 4, the retainer block 10 can be placed over anyselected compartment 26 of the collector tray 22, with the flange 62seated on top of an edge (e.g., 78) of the collector tray 22 and theplanar section 50 seated on top of a dividing wall 28 with the raisedshell 52 of the retainer block 10 extending upwardly. Alternatively, theretainer block 10 can be placed over any selected compartment 26 of thecollector tray 22 with the planar section 50 seated on top of an edge(e.g., 78) of the collector tray 22 and the flange 62 seated on top of adividing wall 28. As yet a further alternative, the retainer block 10can be placed over any selected compartment 26 of the collector tray 22with the planar section 50 and the flange 62 seated on top of adjacentdividing walls 28. The vertical edge 64 acts as a positioning memberadjacent the edge 70 or a dividing wall 28. With the raised shell 52extending upwardly, the user can insert the blade(s) of one or moreknives through any selected slot 70 into the interior space 68 of theraised shell 52. Thus, the blades of the knives will be shielded by theraised shell 52, with only the handles of the knives extending outwardlyfrom the raised shell 52. This positioning of the knives (i.e.,shielding of the blades by the raised shell 52) will ensure that theuser will not be able to grip or contact the blades of the knives whenremoving the knives from the dish rack 12. In addition, this positioningwill minimize blunting of the blades. Although the retainer block 10 isillustrated herein as being for use with knives, it can also be used toaccomodate any sharp objects.

The user can also insert shorter knives through the slots 72 so that theblades of the knives will be shielded by the planar section 50.

Referring next to FIGS. 2 and 5, the retainer block 10 can be placedover any selected compartment 26 of the collector tray 22, with theflange 62 seated on top of an edge (e.g., 78) of the collector tray 22and the planar section 50 seated on top of a dividing wall 28 with theraised shell 52 of the retainer block 10 extending inwardly into thecompartment 26. Alternatively, the retainer block 10 can be placed overany selected compartment 26 of the collector tray 22 with the planarsection 50 seated on top of an edge (e.g., 78) of the collector tray 22and the flange 62 seated on top of a dividing wall 28. As yet a furtheralternative, the retainer block 10 can be placed over any selectedcompartment 26 of the collector tray 22 with the planar section 50 andthe flange 62 seated on top of adjacent dividing walls 28. The end wall58 acts as a positioning member adjacent the edge 70 or a dividing wall28. With the raised shell 52 extending into the compartment 26, theinterior space 68 will define a bowl-like container for receiving smallwashable items, such as baby bottle nipples, corn holders and similaritems. The slots 70 in the walls 58 and 62 will prevent water fromcollecting inside the interior space, thereby allowing water to bedrained therethrough.

Thus, the retainer block 10 according to the present invention ismulti-functional in that it allows the user to use it for retainingsharp objects, and can be turned upside down to be used for retainingsmall items. The raised shell 52 of the retainer block 10 provides aneffective shield against the sharp edges or blades of the knife or otherobject retained in the retainer block.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate two other embodiments of retainer blocks thatcan be used in the present invention. Referring first to FIG. 6, theretainer block 10 a is similar to the retainer block 10 in that it has araised shell 52 a. The raised shell 52 a has four side walls 54 a, 55 a,56 a, 57 a and a flat top wall 60 a extending between, and connecting,the side walls 54 a, 55 a, 56 a and 57 a. The walls 54 a, 55 a, 56 a, 57a and 60 a define an empty interior space that is similar to theinterior space 68. A planar section 50 a extends from the side wall 55 aof the raised shell 52 a A plurality of elongated slots 70 a areprovided in the top wall 60 a. Similarly, a plurality of elongated slots72 a can also be provided on the planar section 50 a. The retainer block10 a can be utilized in the same manner as the retainer block 10 asdescribed above.

Referring now to FIG. 7, the retainer block 10 b has a single planarsection 50 b. An interior space is defined under the planar section 50b. A plurality of elongated slots 72 b are provided on the planarsection 50 a. The retainer block 10 b can be placed over any selectedcompartment 26 of the collector tray 22, with the opposing end edges 62b and 64 b of the planar section 50 b seated on top of an edge (e.g.,78) of the collector tray 22 and on top of a dividing wall 28.Alternatively, the retainer block 10 b can be placed over any selectedcompartment 26 of the collector tray 22 with the opposing end edges 62 band 64 b seated on top of adjacent dividing walls 28. The user caninsert the blade(s) of one or more knives through any selected slot 72b, so that the blades of the knives will be shielded by the planarsection 50 b.

One difference between the retainer block 10 b and the other retainerblocks 10, 10 a is that the retainer block 10 b cannot be inverted foruse in holding smaller objects. On the other hand, both the retainerblocks 10 and 10 a can be inverted to define bowl-like containers forreceiving small washable items.

While the description above refers to particular embodiments of thepresent invention, it will be understood that many modifications may bemade without departing from the spirit thereof. The accompanying claimsare intended to cover such modifications as would fall within the truescope and spirit of the present invention.

1. Apparatus for use with a dish rack, comprising: a raised shell, theraised shell having two side walls, an end wall extending between theside walls, and an angled top wall connected to the end wall andextending between the side walls, the angled top wall having a base; aplanar section extending from the base of the angled top wall; a flangeextending from the end wall; an interior space defined by the sidewalls, the end wall and the angled top wall; and at least one elongatedslot provided in the angled top wall.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1,further including at least one slot provided in the end wall.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 1, further including at least one slot provided onthe planar section.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, further including avertical wall extending vertically downwardly from the flange.
 5. Anassembly, comprising: (a) a dish rack having a collector tray, thecollector tray having a compartment; and (b) a retaining block seated inthe compartment, the retaining block including: a raised shell, theraised shell having two side walls, an end wall extending between theside walls, and an angled top wall connected to the end wall andextending between the side walls, the angled top wall having a base; aplanar section extending from the base of the angled top wall; a flangeextending from the end wall; an interior space defined by the sidewalls, the end wall and the angled top wall; and at least one elongatedslot provided in the angled top wall.
 6. The assembly of claim 5,further including at least one slot provided in the end wall.
 7. Theassembly of claim 5, further including at least one slot provided on theplanar section.
 8. The assembly of claim 5, wherein the collector trayhas an edge and a dividing wall that divides the collector tray into aplurality of compartments.
 9. The assembly of claim 8, further includinga vertical wall extending vertically downwardly from the flange andpositioned adjacent either the edge of the collector tray or thedividing wall.
 10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the flange is seatedon top of either the edge of the collector tray or the dividing wall.11. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the planar section is seated on topof either the edge of the collector tray or the dividing wall. 12.Apparatus for use with a dish rack, comprising: a raised shell, theraised shell having four side walls and a top wall extending between theside walls; a planar section extending from one of the side walls ofraised shell; an interior space defined by the side walls and the topwall; and at least one elongated slot provided in the top wall.
 13. Theapparatus of claim 12, further including at least one slot provided onthe planar section.
 14. An assembly, comprising: (a) a dish rack havinga collector tray, the collector tray having a tray edge and a dividingwall that divides the collector tray into a plurality of compartments;and (b) a retainer seated above one of the compartments, the retainerhaving a planar section that has opposing end edges, with each end edgeseated over either a tray edge or a dividing wall, the retainer havingat least one elongated slot provided in the planar section.